Contango’s Spartan’s Revenge wins the 2026 Bisbee’s Black & Blue with a 491-pound marlin and a record-breaking $5.6 million prize

The team *Contango’s Spartan’s Revenge* was crowned champion of the 46th annual Bisbee’s Black & Blue sport fishing tournament in 2026, after landing a 491-pound blue marlin on the first day of competition (October 21). The catch—reeled in by angler Kevin Miranda under the command of Captain Jeff Villarroel—was the only one to exceed the tournament’s 300-pound minimum weight requirement. It secured a record-breaking payout of $5,629,300, the largest prize for a single fish in the tournament’s history.

The event’s total purse reached $7,464,250, contested by 175 teams (comprising approximately 1,292 anglers). Over the three days of fishing, 38 marlin were recorded (mostly blue marlin); 34 of these were released, while several others that were brought to the scale failed to qualify because they did not meet the minimum weight. The fish that were weighed in were donated to the local charity *Hope for Los Cabos*.

Top performers in the “Daily Release” divisions included:

• *A Blueish Hue* (Captain Keith Hilton): $211,650 for releases on the first day.

• *Never Say Never* (Captain Scott Flores): $211,650 for two releases on the second day.

• *Right Rigger*: $117,300.

• *Cottonpicker*: $94,350. The tournament—considered one of the most prestigious marlin fishing events in the world, boasting one of the largest prize pools—took place from October 21 to 23 in the waters off Los Cabos, with the awards ceremony held on October 24. The catch by *Contango’s Spartan’s Revenge*—a team making its debut at the event—secured the majority of the optional jackpots and marked a milestone in the 46-year history of the Black & Blue.